RI AIDS Walk for Life will provide free, anonymous, rapid HIV testing

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- This year's AIDS Walk for Life, which begins at the State House at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, will feature free, anonymous, rapid HIV testing, a news release from the walk's organizers announced Thursday.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- This year's AIDS Walk for Life, which begins at the State House at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, will feature free, anonymous, rapid HIV testing, a news release from the walk's organizers announced Thursday.

The testing reflects the theme, Prevention is the Solution!, said the cochairmen, local HIV/AIDS physicians Charles Carpenter and Philip Chan.

"We can now say that a clear path to victory is at hand," said Dr. Carpenter, noting that the AIDS Walk has provided support to the AIDS community for nearly three decades. "If all persons living with HIV receive adequate treatment, transmission of the disease will cease," he said.

"HIV is both preventable and treatable," Dr. Chan said. "Everyone should be tested at least once for HIV and annually if sexually active."

The rain-or-shine event will also offer chair massages, Starbucks coffee, food, flu shots administered by Lifespan, and other giveaways.